The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization following he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
